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The Hell Bound Series

Categories of People Bound for Hell
Lifestyle and Salvation Status

Gal 5:21b "those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God."

There is a lifestyle characteristic of those bound for hell. Those bound for heaven and those bound for hell are distinguished by their characteristic attitudes and lifestyle. "This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother." 1John 3:10

This series will examine the characteristics of those bound for hell as defined in such lists as Eph 5:5,6; Gal 5:19-12; 1Cor 6:9,10; Rev 21:8 of whom it says, "their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur."

There is a correlation between a person's behavior and their salvation status. Do not be deceived on this point. Paul precedes his list of the hell-bound in 1Cor 6:9,10 with this phrase. "Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived:" 1Cor 6:9a  John says, "Little children, let no one lead you astray. He who does righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.  He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning."  1John 3:7,8 Paul's list of the hell bound in Eph 5:5,6 is bracket by these phrases, "For of this you can be sure: ... Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient."

Cowards

Rev 21:8 "The Cowardly ..."

These are they who are characteristically timid. While everyone has fears, these are characteristically overcome by their fears. Ironically these are the first in the list of Rev 21:8 who are thrown into the lake of fire - as if to say that cowards are first in line to get thrown into hell fire. Such is your fate if you fear other things more than you fear God.

There are generally two things people fear. One thing people fear is what other people think of them. The apostle Peter struggled with tha fear not only when he denied Christ publicly but even after he had received the Spirit and had been leading the church at Jerusalem Paul had to rebuke Peter for his man-fear. Paul writes, "When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong.  Before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group." Gal 2:11,12 Bu though we find examples of such fear present in his life, such fear did not characterize his lifestyle. For he also spoke out boldly and publicly. Pr 29:25 "The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in the LORD shall be safe."

Jesus said, "All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved." Mt 10:22 If fear of public opinion controls your behavior such that you do not take a public stand for what is true and right, you are a coward. And as fear of public opinion controls cowards, so also does fear of circumstances. Jesus said, "I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him." Lk 12:4,5

The Unbelieving

Rev 21:8 "... the unbelieving ..."

"He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." John 3:36

Heaven is reserved solely for believers. And even so only for believers who faith is not vain. "By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain." 1Cor 15:2 "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." 1Cor 1:18 "For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe." 1Cor 1:21 

The Vile

Rev 21:8 "... the vile..."

The Greek word being used speaks of the abhorrent, the disgusting, the loathsome - being so not necessarily in the eyes of the world, but in the eyes of God and consequently in the eyes of God's children - those born of the Spirit of God. People who are disgusting in the eyes of the godly are bound for hell. These may be those "unclean persons" Paul spoke of in his list of those bound for hell in Eph 5:5.

Are you morally filthy? The Great Harlot is spoken of in this way, "The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and was glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls. She held a golden cup in her hand, filled with abominable things and the filth of her adulteries." Rev 17:4   And likewise of the homosexual lifestyle of those of Sodom. "He rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the filthy lives of lawless men." 2Peter 2:7

How is your language? "The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks." Luke 6:45 "Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you." Jas 1:21

Murderers

Rev 21:8 "...the murderers..."

Typically in defense of one's "goodness" a person would claim that at least they didn't murder anyone. Or have they?

"Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him." 1John 3:15  And along these same lines "murderers" would include not only those who commit the act, but also those who condone murder. For example, the major of Americans condone the murder of the most vulnerable among us, namely babies in the womb. Due to the influence of radical feminism over 50 million such babies have been murdered by their own callous mothers. Such people are bound for hell.

Among murderers both in Jesus' day and today are those who commit or condone the murder of others over religious matters. The religious elite are not exempt from such a category. Jesus said, "The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life." Luke 9:22 In Acts 7:52 Stephen characterized the religious leaders of his day and throughout history saying, "Was there ever a prophet your fathers did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him—" Acts 7:52 

Jesus said, "I know you are Abraham’s (or today, Ishmael's) descendants. Yet you are ready to kill me, because you have no room for my word." ... "You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desire. He was a murderer from the beginning " John 8:37,44a

The Sexually Immoral

Rev 21:8 "...the sexually immoral..."

Jesus said, "God ‘made them male and female.’ ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife,  and the two will become one flesh." Mk 10:6-8  Thus God defines gender, not the individual, and sex is reserved for marriage, and marriage is only legitimate between those of the opposite gender, outside of which sex is immoral.

These are they who engage in sex outside of a legitimate marriage, and includes not only those committing the act, but those who imagine it. For "anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart." Mt 5:28 And I say "legitimate", for many marriages are illegitimate - such as when one spouse had been divorced. For "Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery." Mk 10:11,12

Of those subject to the plagues of the book of Revelation it is written, "The rest of mankind that were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood— idols tha cannot see or hear or walk. Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality or their thefts." Rev 9:20,21

1Th 4:3  It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality.

Sorcerers

Rev 21:8 "...sorcerers..."

The word in Greek is "pharmakeus" where we get the word "pharmacy" or "drug store", but at the time referred to one who prepares or uses magical remedies. Yes, Harry Potter is hell-bound. Those who put their faith in magic are condemned. "You have trusted in your wickedness and have said, ‘No one sees me.’ Your wisdom and knowledge mislead you when you say to yourself, ‘I am, and there is none besides me.’ Disaster will come upon you, and you will not know how to conjure it away. A calamity will fall upon you that you cannot ward off with a ransom; a catastrophe you cannot foresee will suddenly come upon you. Keep on, then, with your magic spells and with your many sorceries, which you have labored at since childhood. Perhaps you will succeed, perhaps you will cause terror.  All the counsel you have received has only worn you out! Let your astrologers come forward, those stargazers who make predictions month by month, let them save you from what is coming upon you. Surely they are like stubble; the fire will burn them up." Isaiah 47:10-14a

"There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, or one who practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. For all who do these things are an abomination to the LORD" Deut 18:10-12a

Idolaters

Rev 21:8 "...idolaters..."

These are they who worship something other than God, such as money. For "Greed is idolatry" Col 3:5c And "of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person— such a man is an idolater— has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God." Eph 5:5

What determines your purpose in life? That's your object of worship. What is the primary thing upon which you base your decisions? That's your object of worship. What is it that you celebrates and boast about? That's your object of worship. If it's not God, it's an idol.

Liars

Rev 21:8 "...and all liars..."

Jesus characterized the devil in this manner, "He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies" John 8:44b

One type of lie is to lie to oneself. For example it's written, "If anyone says, 'I love God,' yet hates his brother, he is a liar." 1John 4:20a There are those who are deceived about their own salvation status and that of others. "Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived..." 1Cor 6:9a and likewise "If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives." 1John 1:10 When people make false claims about themselves they often also make out others to be liars, even making out God to be a liar. "Anyone who does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, because he has not believed the testimony God has given about his Son." 1John 5:10b and "Who is the liar? It is the man who denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a man is the antichrist— he denies the Father and the Son." 1John 2:22a For example Mohammed denied Jesus was the Son of God.

Liars might misrepresent themselves, or misrepresent others, whether is be in publicly maligning their character or misreading what they wrote or said. Or they may outright slander a person, fabricating false accusations against them.


Lev 19:11 "’Do not steal. "’Do not lie. "’Do not deceive one another."
Col 3:9  "Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices"

The Second Death

Rev 21:8 "their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death."

In their first death such people are sent to hell, as the rich man in Luke 16. "In hell, where he was in torment ...  I am in agony in this fire." Luke 16:23,24 But hell is only a jail in comparison to the lake of fire which is a prison. For "the Lord knows how to ... hold the unrighteous for the day of judgment, while continuing their punishment." 2Peter 2:9 After the final judgement, "Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death." Rev 20:14  And not only they, but "the devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever." Rev 20:10 

 Adulterers

1Cor 6:9,10 "...nor adulterers ... will inherit the kingdom of God."

Those who characteristically commit adultery are hell bound. And adultery is much more common than people make it out to be. For example Jesus said, "I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart." Mt 5:28 And "Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery." Mk 10:11,12 For marriage lasts till death do you part, not till divorce do you part. "a married woman is bound to her husband as long as he is alive, but if her husband dies, she is released from the law of marriage. So then, if she marries another man while her husband is still alive, she is called an adulteress. But if her husband dies, she is released from that law and is not an adulteress, even though she marries another man." Rom 7:2,3

Heb 13:4  Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.

There have been church leaders who condone and even teach people to practice adultery. Of the church of Thyatira Jesus said, "I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works." Rev 2:20-23

Homosexuals and Sodomites

1Cor 6:9,10 "...nor homosexuals, nor sodomites... will inherit the kingdom of God."

Homosexuality is a rejection of one's God-given gender. The first word for "homosexual" in Greek is "malakos" which refers to the effeminate. The NASB translates this word "effeminate". It's also used for the word "soft" as in Mt 11:8 "A man clothed in "soft" garments" These homosexuals are "girly men". It's the stereotypical homosexual. It's the reason why they are referred to as "gay".

The other word translated sodomite in the NKJV is an"abuser of one's self with mankind", as the KJV translates it. The NASB simply translates it "homosexual".  "If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination." Lev 20:13 The phrasing used in Lev 20:13 in the LXX - the Greek translation of the Old Testament used in Jesus' day - exactly mirrors the word Paul uses here. The LXX uses the phrase "αρσενος κοιτην". Paul uses "αρσενοκοιται", which as you can see just joins the two words together. Therefore he's referencing that same behavior which the Law of Moses speaks of, namely men having sex with men.

The word "sodomite" which the NKJV uses, comes from "Sodom" of which was condemned in the Old Testament for such acts. "Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire." Jude 1:7

And concerning Lesbians and Homosexuals it is written, "Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion." Rom 1:26,27

The effeminate, homosexuals and lesbians are all hell bound.

Thieves

1Cor 6:9,10 "...nor thieves... will inherit the kingdom of God."

These are those who violate God-given property rights. "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy" John 10:1 And many a thief misrepresent themselves as looking out for the bes interests of others. Judas was such a man. When a woman poured expensive oil on Jesus' feet Judas said, '"Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.' He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it." John 12:5,6
 
The particular word in 1Cor 6:10 is "kleptes" where we ge "kleptomaniac". The particular Greek word refers to one who steals by stealth. A related word is "robber" which refers to those who steal openly, and consequently are often violent. But the kleptes could be an embezzler. Those who cheat on taxes are an example of such a person. Religious leaders who mislead people for the sake of money are also spoken of. "they are ruining whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach— and that for the sake of dishonest gain." Titus 1:11

The Greedy

1Cor 6:9,10 "...nor the greedy... will inherit the kingdom of God."

Greed, in contrast to something like murder, is one of those largely socially acceptable sins, and even shamelessly encouraged in some societies. But the greedy share the same fate as those who characteristically commit heinous sins.  Greed can be measured by one's generosity or lack thereof, or by one's hospitality or lack thereof. A greedy person is a selfish person devoted to finding security and fulfillment in the accumulation of resources. Jesus said, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." Luke 12:15

Ministers are warned, "Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers— not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve" 1Pet 5:2 For there are those involved in ministry for the money. "In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping." 2Pet 2:3 Evidence of Greed disqualifies one from spiritual leadership. (1Tim 3:3)

See also the parable of the Rich Fool.
Alcoholics

1Cor 6:9,10 "...nor drunkards... will inherit the kingdom of God."

While alcoholism is increasingly being misconstrued as a disease and thus alcoholics portrayed as merely victims, the fact is that alcoholism is a willful sin and those who practice it are not mere victims bu guilty of a crime so serious in God's eyes as to render them hell bound. Drug abusers and drunkards are on common ground, finding comfort in self-medicating through the misuse of such chemicals. As such they dull both their spiritual and physical senses and at times without even realizing it do harm to both themselves and others.

Drug abusers and alcoholics are like those who "blesses himself in his heart, saying, ‘I shall have peace, even though I follow the dictates of my heart’ —as though the drunkard could be included with the sober. The LORD would not spare him; for then the anger of the LORD and His jealousy would burn against that man, and every curse tha is written in this book would settle on him, and the LORD would blot ou his name from under heaven." Deut 29:19,20 While they try to escape reality through a bottle or a drug, they cannot escape the grave and the hell that follows.

Slanderers

1Cor 6:9,10 "...nor slanderers... will inherit the kingdom of God."

These are they who characteristically bear false witness against their neighbor. Their either fabricate events or misconstrue what their neighbor said. Paul was subjected to such slander. "And why not say, "Let us do evil that good may come"? ——as we are slanderously reported and as some affirm that we say. Their condemnation is just." Rom 3:8  And Jesus was subject to slanderers throughout his ministry to his death. It's a form of persecution all Christians should expect if they are following Jesus.

Such people are typically contentious or quarrelsome. The Greek word used in 1Cor 6:10 is used twice in the LXX as follows.

Pr 26:21  As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.
Pr 27:15 A quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping on a rainy day

Swindlers

1Cor 6:9,10 "...nor swindlers... will inherit the kingdom of God."

The word for "swindler" is also translated "ravenous" in some other places, as in Mt 7:15 "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves." They may view the ministry simply as a way to "fleece the flock" - swindling Christians for their own financial gain. Through extortion they seize other people's possessions. They may prey on the naive, misrepresenting themselves in some fashion, to extort money. "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil." 1Tim 6:10a In the end they will learn of saying, "What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, ye forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?" Mt 16:26

Impurity

Gal 5:19-21 "The acts of the sinful nature ... impurity ... those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God."

The best translation of this word today would be "dirty" as in dirty jokes, dirty thoughts, dirty movies. That's the sense of the word. People who live such a lifestyle in thought and deed are hell bound.

Such people become desensitized to how dirty they are, "who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness." Eph 4:19 Such behavior is often spoken of as being "sick". And it often involves the degrading of the body. "Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness <167>, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves" Rom 1:24 

"It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable,  not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God; and that in this matter no one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him. The Lord will punish men for all such sins, as we have already told you and warned you. For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life." 1Th 4:3-7

 Debauchery

Gal 5:19-21 "...debauchery ... those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God."

Debauchery here is a rejection of restraints. The insolent doing of whatever one's caprice may suggest. It's the philosophy of life to do whatever you feel like doing. The Greek word used in Gal "aselgeia" is descriptive of Lot's neighbors in Sodom. "and delivered righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the "aselgeia" conduct of the wicked" 2Pet 2:7 That is, their unrestrained, capricious conduct.

Among the Christian community, those who treat the grace of God as a license to sin are practicing debauchery and as such are hell bound. The Greek word used in Gal is translated "license" in Jude 1:4 "For certain men whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are godless men, who change the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord."

Hatred

Gal 5:19-21 "...hatred... those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God."

Hatred is so characteristic of the human condition that Paul writes concerning the Christians, "we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another." Titus 3:3 Though writing in the past tense he indicates that such is no indicative of those born of God. The world has much the same misconception of hatred as they do of love. In the world, "love" is largely a selfish thing. It's as Jesus said, "if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them." Lk 6:32 And the world hates the way God loves. For "God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Rom 5:8 But the world crucifies Christ. Jesus said to his own unbelieving brothers, "The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that what it does is evil." John 7:7 And he says, "He who hates Me hates My Father also." John 15:23 

There is, however, a godly hatred. of Jesus it is written, "You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness" Heb 1:9 And "The LORD tests the righteous, But the wicked and the one who loves violence His soul hates." Ps 11:5 But the hatred spoken of in Galatians is malicious. It is the unjustified contempt for one's fellow man characteristic of the unregenerate. Thus John writes, "Do not be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you." 1John 3:13 And concerning alleged Christians hating those born of God it is written, "Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him." 1John 3:15

Strife

Gal 5:19-21 "...strife... those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God."

We are to contend over essentials. And thus the command, "Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints." Jude 1:9 In this way Jesus was often contentious in how he spoke to others. For he was dealing with essential matters. But to be contentious in the sense Gal 5 is talking about is to unnecessarily introduce divisions. For example concerning teaching Paul writes, "But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless. Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition,
 knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned." Tit 3:9  ("divisive" is actually the word for "heretic") Not only divisive heresies, but there are also Christians who are unnecessarily contentious concerning customs in the church. Paul wrote concerning head coverings,  "if anyone seems to be contentious, we have no such custom, nor do the churches of God." 1Cor 11:16 Which perhaps is the contention of which Paul speaks of previously in that chapter, "Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, tha you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you." 1Cor 11:10,11

So chose carefully what you're going to argue about. And we can disagree without being disagreeable.

Jealousy

Gal 5:19-21 "...jealousy... those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God."

The Greek word for "jealousy" here is "zelos",also translated "zeal" and "envy". (For "jealous" comes from "zealous") Religious zeal is a common form of such jealousy. The violence and oppression practiced in Islamic countries is an example of such zeal. As is the Jewish zeal in killing their own Messiah and persecuting his followers. For even Pilate, "knew that they had handed Him over because of envy." Mt 27:18 And when Paul started preaching to Gentiles, "when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy; and contradicting and blaspheming, they opposed the things spoken by Paul." Acts 13:45 Of them Paul wrote, "I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. or they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God." Rom 10:1,2

Fits of Rage

Gal 5:19-21 "...fits of rage... those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God."

In modern idiomatic terms this is know as "going ballistic", which is to become irrationally enraged, or "going postal', which introduces violence to such a rage. To do so characteristically would indicate such a person is bound for hell. Much as violent video games encourage such behavior, "Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city." Pr 16:32 But perhaps that example doesn't do justice to the concept. For the practice of violence in video games is often not born of a fit of rage but of a callous disregard for that which mimics human life. A fit of rage is most often born of suffering humiliation in some fashion and reacting to it very badly. Thus when Jesus healed on the Sabbath in violation of the man-made regulation of the religious elite, "they were filled with rage, and discussed with one another what they might do to Jesus." Acts 4:25

Selfish Ambition

Gal 5:19-21 "... selfish ambition ... those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God."

While we all have degrees of selfish ambition, those who align their lifestyle in accordance with their selfish ambitions are hell bound. What is the basis of the decisions you make concerning your lifestyle, your purpose in life? Do you defer to your selfish ambitions when making such decisions?
"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." Php 2:3,4
With selfish ambition comes disorder and confusion both in one's self and in relationship with others. And along with those, every kind of evil practice.

Those with self ambitions often meddle where they shouldn't. So concerning ambitions Paul advises, "Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody." 1Th 4:11,12 Do your ambitions involve bothering and burdening other people unnecessarily? Have you geared your life to be dependent upon others, or have you geared it to be dependable to others?

Dissensions

Gal 5:19-21 "... dissensions ... those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God."

This is a person who characteristically is unnecessarily, unreasonably divisive. There are times and issues of which one should necessarily divide. Jesus said, "the world hates me because I testify that what it does is evil." John 7:7 And Paul says, "Expel the wicked man from among you." 1Cor 5:13 In fact one could characterize both Jesus and Paul as being divisive. But they were divisive concerning essential and justifiable matters. Bu what Paul is referring to in Gal are those who are unnecessarily and unreasonably divisive.

For example in Romans 14 Paul spoke of getting along with fellow Christians who differ in "disputable matters" (Rom 14:1) He gives examples "One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind." Rom 14:5 as he also mentions in Col 2:16 "Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day." These along with other matters of eating and drinking. Yet many, even among religious leaders divide over these issues, even establishing denominations inflating these kinds of issues to the point where they interfere with fellowship. "I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them." Rom 16:17

Heresies

Gal 5:19-21 "... heresies... those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God."

Divisions (dissensions) come together with heresies. (The word used in Gal 5 is "hairesis" in Gk.) Paul writes, "first of all, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it.  For there mus also be heresies among you, that those who are approved may be recognized among you." 1Cor 11:18,19 If there's a group or individual who, in pride, wants to be recognized and approved, they will characteristically introduce heresies so as to have an illegitimate basis of distinguishing themselves from others. There are whole denominations in the Christian community who live like this.

Peter uses the same Greek word "hairesis" in this passage. "Bu there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction." 2Peter 2:1 These are they who view freedom of Christ is a license to sin and thus deny the Lordship of Christ. For "He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again." 2Cor 5:15

Heretics are hell bound.

Envy

Gal 5:19-21 "... envy ... those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God."

Envy is to desire what others have just because they have it. Covetousness is a form of envy, dealing with the material things one has. Envy is more general incorporating materaial things along with other things like reputation, happiness. For example Jesus was crucified because of envy. He had the reputation and popularity that the religious elite craved. "He knew that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy." Mr 15:10 and Paul writes, "Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife" Php 1:15 Such people were jealous of Paul's reputation and popularity, and some today preach Christ being motivated out of envy and strife.

Those who characteristically crave for what others have are hell bound. Yet envy is celebrated much in the world. Practically the whole advertizement industry profits on envy. Much as the world is aware of many categories of sin, such as murder and stealing, yet it has become largely desensitized to the seriousness of the evil inherent in envy. Is the thought "I want because other people have" the dominant thought in your lifestyle decisions? Paul characterizes the unregenerate in this manner, "For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another." Titus 3:3

"Laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby" 1Peter 2:1,2

Drunkenness

Gal 5:19-21 "... drunkenness... those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God."

Alcoholics are hell bound. Much as alcoholism today is mischaracterized as a disease, alcoholics are not victims but criminals on their way to eternal damnation. Drunkenness is an escape mechanism desensitisizing such people to that which they should be concerned. Practically in vain does one preach to the drunkard as he can hardly reason and make awake from his stupor not even remembering what was said. They don't even know the harm they do to others in their drunken state. "Wine is a mocker, Strong drink is a brawler, And whoever is led astray by it is not wise." Pr 20:1

Concerning his return Jesus said, "Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap." Luke 21:34 And Paul warns, "Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy." Rom 13:13 And Peter says, "For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do— living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry." 1Peter 4:3

And by the way, the Greek word for drunkenness in these passages is "methe". Same argument could be made of drug abusers.

Carousing

Gal 5:19-21 "... carousing ... those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God."

The word ("komos" in Gk) used is perhaps most precisely understood in the word "partying" in the sense used on college campuses today. The Online Bible Greek Lexicon describes "komos" this way:
"a nocturnal and riotous procession of half drunken and frolicsome fellows who after supper parade through the streets with torches and music in honour of Bacchus or some other deity, and sing and play before houses of male and female friends; hence used generally of feasts and drinking parties that are protracted till late at night and indulge in revelry"
The NIV translates it "orgies". Though that's just one aspect of komos.

Those whose life is characterized by partying will not inherit the kingdom of God.

and the like

Gal 5:19-21 "... and the like ... those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God."

None of the lists of the hell bound given in Rev 21:8; Gal 5:19-21; 1Cor 6:9,10; Eph 5:5 are comprehensive. But from these we get a sense of the categories of people who are going to hell. By saying, "and the like" Paul indicates that he shouldn't have to spell it out. We should be able to infer the kinds of people who are hell bound. And we make such a determination based not simply upon a snapshot of the person's behavior, but rather upon their lifestyle - their characteristic behavior.

People not only don't like it when you do so. But much of the Christian community today will even characterize people who make such judgments as Paul instructs as themselves sinning in doing so. As Jesus said to his own brothers, "The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that what it does is evil." John 7:7, so it seems one often has to respond likewise to "brethren" in the Christian community today.


Now to see how the hell bound can be saved from such a fate see the Gospel Series.

The Berean Christian Bible Study Resources Jun 25,2022